These 2 Recent Statistics Regarding “Divorce with Children” May Surprise Many Chicago Couples and Soon-to-Be Exes

There is no doubt that one of the hardest-fought, most important, and most controversial issues in a Chicago divorce is the issue of what happens to the children. Indeed, when children are involved in a Chicago divorce, the divorce process must take on complexities, such as the determination of who will get physical and legal custody of the children in the marriage, and whether child support will be paid and how much it will be for the non-custodial parent each month.

A recent Forbes Advisor article digs deep into the numbers when it comes to divorces that involve children, and the statistics may surprise many Chicago couples and individuals (who may even be facing divorce with children themselves). To help individuals and couples in Chicago better understand what divorce may look like with children, we share some of that perhaps-shocking statistical information here.

Divorce in Numbers: Does More Children Mean Marriage is More likely Headed Towards Divorce?

One of the interesting sets of numbers that Forbes Advisor revealed in its study on divorce with children is the percentage of couples who ultimately divorce versus the number of children involved in the marriage. Many Chicago couples and individuals may be under the assumption that “more children” equals “more likely to divorce”, based on the potential financial strain and stress that more children may place on an already-fragile martial relationship. The truth of the matter is, however, that having more children does not necessarily mean that the marriage has a higher chance of ending. According to the Forbes Advisor study, “While 17% of couples with two children experienced divorce, this number dropped to 13% of couples with three children”.

Myth Busted: Mom is the “Default” Parent When it Comes to Child Custody

Another perhaps surprising statistic revealed by the Forbes Advisor study concerns who children live with after a divorce is finalized. Some Chicago couples and individuals may be under the age-old widely-held belief that the mother in a divorce with children is the “default” parent when it comes to child custody. According to Forbes, this is not the case. Notes Forbes, “While there’s a long-held belief that mothers are favored in custody proceedings, this is no longer necessarily true. In 2023, only 5.8% of children under 18 lived exclusively with their mother following a divorce”. The reason for this “shift”? According to Forbes, “Shared custody has become the norm as societal views on parenting have shifted and courts and parents increasingly recognize the importance of a child continuing to build a relationship with both parents post-divorce.”

If you are seeking a divorce in Chicago and you need legal help, contact the experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC are here to help individuals and couples in Chicago with their complex Chicago divorce issues. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced lawyer about your case today. Contact Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/